Our Staff
Linda Schroeder
Linda Schroeder, the founder of Apps4College®, graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with concentrations in English and History. For her service and leadership at UT, she was honored at graduation to be chosen as a Cactus Goodfellow. Following graduation, she taught in the Spring Branch Independent School District. Linda is an accredited member of the national Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the Texas Association of College Counselors (TACAC).
In addition to teaching high school students how to write, Linda has owned and operated several small businesses. Over the years, she has served in many leadership positions in various community, school, and church organizations in Houston. Her first love remains helping high school students navigate their way to college.
Apps4College® has a staff of trained professionals who will help each student with all aspects of the college application. A variety of educators assist with essay and resume development, application completion, and interview skills. Each teacher has had many years of experience working with high school students and college admission. We work with students individually or in small groups to ensure that each student receives very personalized instruction.
Mackenzie Payton
Mackenzie Payton is a new Senior Counselor at Apps4College. Mackenzie graduated from St. Agnes Academy and attended Saint Louis University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. She brings over a decade of experience helping students and families navigate the college application process. She is passionate about students finding the "right" fit for their college - wherever that may be! Mackenzie has spent time on both sides of the college counseling desk, helping high school students at Cristo Rey Jesuit in Houston and serving in regional positions at Saint Louis University, Colorado State University, and The University of Tulsa. As a regional admission counselor, she reviewed applications, made admission decisions, participated in admission committees, awarded scholarships, and presented topics including selectivity, scholarships, financial aid, and more to students and families.
Mackenzie is an active member of the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors and has served on the Executive Board of TACAC as Communications Chair from 2018-to 2019 and in numerous other volunteer positions. She currently resides in Lubbock with her husband and three small children. She is an active member of the community and the Junior League of Lubbock. She looks forward to working with you and your student!
Our 2022 Summer Interns
Carolyn Hammond
Carolyn is a rising senior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She is a Pre-Law and Hilltop Scholar majoring in Political Science and History and minoring in Spanish in the University Honors Program. At SMU, Carolyn is the PR Director for the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Delta Gamma and the Assistant Digital Director of SMU Look Magazine. Carolyn also runs her fashion business blog, Modish. Carolyn attended Episcopal High School and graduated in 2019. She loves helping students complete their college applications, but she especially loves helping students build fantastic essays!
Kate Hester
Kate just finished her first year as an Honors Industrial Systems Engineering student at Texas A&M University. She is also minoring in Engineering Project Management. She graduated from Bellaire High School in 2021 where she was a Presidential and National Merit Scholar. She is very involved in her sorority and is also an Engineering Honors Ambassador at A&M. She loves to hike, play volleyball, draw, and play the piano.
Annabel Lane
Annabel graduated from Lamar High School and next fall she will be attending the University of Georgia, majoring in Finance in the Honors College. In addition to being an intern at Apps4College, she is a trained lifeguard and works for a local club as a team leader. In her free time, she likes to exercise, spend time with friends and walk her dog, Dolly. Now that she is finished with the college application process, she is eager to help others!
Morgan Lawter
Morgan graduated from Bellaire High School where she was a part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. She will attend Duke University in the fall where she plans to major in Economics with a concentration in Finance. She loves to dance and was a member of the high school dance team for four years. She also loves to help students with their college applications.
Nicole Mao
Nicole graduated from Bellaire High School and will attend Trinity University this fall. She will be studying Neuroscience and Psychology on a pre-med track. Beyond academics, she loves to cook, read, play tennis, and travel. She can’t wait to pass on to future applicants what she has learned about the college application process.